December 30th, 2013 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Reducing your Blood Pressure without Medication)

This coming year, you can significantly reduce your high blood pressure with a few changes to your lifestyle. These changes will also help you in other areas that need attention like fitness and weight. You can start the New Year off on the right foot with these healthy choices for lower blood pressure.

Healthy diet

Eat more fruits and veggies, reduce your salt intake and steer clear of processed foods. When you have high blood pressure, you put yourself at risk of heart disease and stroke. Improving your diet and increasing your intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber will help you to reduce your blood pressure, feel more energetic, lose weight and be healthier.

Get moving!

Even a little moderate exercise every day is really great for your health and will help you to effectively lower your blood pressure. Start with walking every day and move on to more taxing cardio vascular exercises when you get stronger.

Read product labels

When you do eat processed foods, get into the habit of reading product labels. Set limits to the amount of fats, calories and sodium you have in a day. Then start tracking your intake by reading labels so that there are no hidden surprises.

Get support from family and friends

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, chances are that you have had a lifetime of stress or bad eating habits. Getting friends and family members to help you to stick to diets and exercise plans is a great way to ensure that you use your support system to reach your goals.

Monitor you blood pressure

Use a wrist blood pressure monitor to keep track of your progress. When you see your blood pressure dropping, you will be even more encouraged to keep on track with your new healthier lifestyle.

November 20th, 2013 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Natural Cures to High Blood Pressure)

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, there is no need to go onto medication for the long term. If you make major life changes that include a balanced diet, exercise and a reduction in your stress levels, you can naturally reduce your blood pressure and live a happier, healthier life.

Diet

Discuss your diet options with your doctor, but they are bound to include whole grains, seven servings of fruit and veggies every day and a less salt. Avoid processed foods and go for healthy home-cooked meals. Focus on foods that contain high levels of potassium like sweet potatoes and potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, bananas, kidney beans, peas, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, and dried fruits such as prunes and raisins.

Exercise

If you don’t lead an active life, the thought of doing exercise may be a daunting one. Instead, focus on moving more and exercising less. By this I mean focus on doing three things every day that involve moving your body. Ride your bike to work, take the dog for a walk, take the stairs, walk to the store or play with your kids in the park. Whatever you enjoy doing that gets your heart rate up is something that you are more likely to stick with. Gradually including movement in your life is the best way to ensure long-term adoption of a more active lifestyle.

Stress

For many people, stress is an inevitable part of life. Perhaps you have a stressful job or a trying commute and a family that needs to be cared for. If it’s not possible for you to reduce the amount of stress in your life, then it may be time to adopt some coping mechanisms that will help you to reduce stress in other ways. Exercise will help as well as meditation, breathing exercises and a ten minute dance party when times get tough.